Railways To Conduct 'Char Dham Yatra' In The New Normal

After great popularity and success of “Shri Ramayana Yatra” train operated on Ramayana circuit, the Railways has now launched another pilgrimage tour “Chardham Yatra” by “Dekho Apna Desh” Deluxe AC Tourist Train.

Since it is a dream of every devotee to visit Char Dhams — Badrinath, Jagannath Puri, Rameshwaram and Dwarkadhish, once in a lifetime, IRCTC, the Railways tourism arm, will conduct “Char Dham Yatra” with all Covid related precaution measures.

The 8,500-km tour will start from Delhi Safdarjung Railway Station on September 18, 2021 and cover the popular pilgrim circuit in 16 days.

Executed by the IRCTC, pilgrims would be given opportunities to
visit Badrinath including Mana Village near China border, Narsingha Temple in Joshimath, Rishikesh, Jagannath Puri including Golden beach of Puri, Konark Sun Temple, Chandrabhaga beach, Rameshwaram including Dhanushkodi, Dwarkadhish including Nageshwar Jyotirlinga, Shivrajpur beach and Bet Dwarka.

Equipped with the state-of-the-art deluxe AC tourist train which has a host of special features including two fine dining restaurants, a modern kitchen, shower cubicles in coaches, sensor-based washroom functions and foot massager, the aim is to ensure comfort during the travel.

The fully air-conditioned train provides two types of accommodation — 1st AC and 2nd AC.

The train has enhanced security features of CCTV cameras and security guards for each coach.

IRCTC has launched this special service in line with the government's initiative “Dekho Apna Desh” to promote domestic tourism, at a very competitive price starting from Rs. 78,585 per person.

Package price covers train journey in AC classes, accommodation in deluxe hotels, all meals (veg only), transfer and sight-seeing in AC Vehicles (except hilly areas), travel insurance and services of IRCTC tour managers.

All necessary health precautions will be taken by providing safe and healthy travel during the tour. Government/PSU employees can avail LTC facility on this tour as per eligibility based on the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Finance.

To ensure the safety measures post Covid-19 in this deluxe tourist train, provision has been made and booking is restricted to around 120 tourists against the total capacity of 156 tourists.

Also, at least first dose of Covid19 vaccination is mandatory for guests of age group 18 or above. Besides this, IRCTC will also provide a safety kit to all tourists having face mask, hand gloves and sanitizer.

Temperature check of all tourists and staff, frequent train sanitization at halt stations etc and other precautions will be ensured.

Staff shall be screened thoroughly and kitchen and restaurants shall be sanitized after every meal service.